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O'Neill HL, White WT, Pogonoski JJ, Alvarez B, Gomez O, Keesing JK. Sharks checking in to the sponge hotel: First internal use of sponges of the genus Agelas and family Irciniidae by banded sand catsharks Atelomycterus fasciatus. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024; 104:304-309. [PMID: 37670721 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Trawl surveys within and surrounding two northwestern Australian marine parks revealed banded sand catsharks Atelomycterus fasciatus (family Atelomycteridae) taking refuge within large sponges of the family Irciniidae (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida) and the genus Agelas (Demospongiae: Agelasida: Agelasidae). Five sponges contained a total of 57 A. fasciatus, comprising both sexes and both immature and mature individuals ranging from 102 to 390 mm total length (TL). In the same surveys, only five A. fasciatus were captured unassociated with sponges, suggesting that sponges are an important microhabitat for A. fasciatus and may provide a daytime refuge from predators. A southerly range extension is also reported for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen L O'Neill
- CSIRO National Research Collections Australia-Australian National Fish Collection, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - William T White
- CSIRO National Research Collections Australia-Australian National Fish Collection, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - John J Pogonoski
- CSIRO National Research Collections Australia-Australian National Fish Collection, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Belinda Alvarez
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Oliver Gomez
- Department of Aquatic Zoology, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John K Keesing
- CSIRO, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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McLean DL, Ferreira LC, Benthuysen JA, Miller KJ, Schläppy M, Ajemian MJ, Berry O, Birchenough SNR, Bond T, Boschetti F, Bull AS, Claisse JT, Condie SA, Consoli P, Coolen JWP, Elliott M, Fortune IS, Fowler AM, Gillanders BM, Harrison HB, Hart KM, Henry L, Hewitt CL, Hicks N, Hock K, Hyder K, Love M, Macreadie PI, Miller RJ, Montevecchi WA, Nishimoto MM, Page HM, Paterson DM, Pattiaratchi CB, Pecl GT, Porter JS, Reeves DB, Riginos C, Rouse S, Russell DJF, Sherman CDH, Teilmann J, Todd VLG, Treml EA, Williamson DH, Thums M. Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:3515-3536. [PMID: 35293658 PMCID: PMC9311298 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil and gas (O&G) industry are prevalent in oceans across the globe, with many approaching the end of their operational life and requiring decommissioning. Although structures can possess high ecological diversity and productivity, information on how they interact with broader ecological processes remains unclear. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the role of O&G infrastructure in maintaining, altering or enhancing ecological connectivity with natural marine habitats. There is a paucity of studies on the subject with only 33 papers specifically targeting connectivity and O&G structures, although other studies provide important related information. Evidence for O&G structures facilitating vertical and horizontal seascape connectivity exists for larvae and mobile adult invertebrates, fish and megafauna; including threatened and commercially important species. The degree to which these structures represent a beneficial or detrimental net impact remains unclear, is complex and ultimately needs more research to determine the extent to which natural connectivity networks are conserved, enhanced or disrupted. We discuss the potential impacts of different decommissioning approaches on seascape connectivity and identify, through expert elicitation, critical knowledge gaps that, if addressed, may further inform decision making for the life cycle of O&G infrastructure, with relevance for other industries (e.g. renewables). The most highly ranked critical knowledge gap was a need to understand how O&G structures modify and influence the movement patterns of mobile species and dispersal stages of sessile marine species. Understanding how different decommissioning options affect species survival and movement was also highly ranked, as was understanding the extent to which O&G structures contribute to extending species distributions by providing rest stops, foraging habitat, and stepping stones. These questions could be addressed with further dedicated studies of animal movement in relation to structures using telemetry, molecular techniques and movement models. Our review and these priority questions provide a roadmap for advancing research needed to support evidence-based decision making for decommissioning O&G infrastructure.
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Koppel DJ, Kho F, Hastings A, Crouch D, MacIntosh A, Cresswell T, Higgins S. Current understanding and research needs for ecological risk assessments of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in subsea oil and gas pipelines. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 241:106774. [PMID: 34823203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Thousands of offshore oil and gas facilities are coming to the end of their life in jurisdictions worldwide and will require decommissioning. In-situ decommissioning, where the subsea components of that infrastructure are left in the marine environment following the end of its productive life, has been proposed as an option that delivers net benefits, including from: ecological benefits from the establishment of artificial reefs, economic benefits from associated fisheries, reduced costs and improved human safety outcomes for operators. However, potential negative impacts, such as the ecological risk of residual contaminants, are not well understood. Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are a class of contaminants found in some oil and gas infrastructure (e.g. pipelines) and includes radionuclides of uranium, thorium, radium, radon, lead, and polonium. NORM are ubiquitous in oil and gas reservoirs around the world and may form contamination products including scales and sludges in subsea infrastructure due to their chemistries and the physical processes of oil and gas extraction. The risk that NORM from these sources pose to marine ecosystems is not yet understood meaning that decisions made about decommissioning may not deliver the best outcomes for environments. In this review, we consider the life of NORM-contamination products in oil and gas systems, their expected exposure pathways in the marine environment, and possible ecological impacts following release. These are accompanied by the key research priorities that need to better describe risk associated with decommissioning options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Koppel
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia.
| | - Fenny Kho
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin Corrosion Center, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Dean Crouch
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart Higgins
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Fish associations with shallow water subsea pipelines compared to surrounding reef and soft sediment habitats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6238. [PMID: 33737598 PMCID: PMC7973564 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85396-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Offshore decommissioning activities are expected to increase as oil and gas subsea infrastructure becomes obsolete. Decisions on decommissioning alternatives will benefit from quantifying and understanding the marine communities associated with these structures. As a case study, fish assemblages associated with an inshore network of subsea pipelines located on the North West shelf of Western Australia were compared to those in surrounding natural reef and soft sediment habitats using remotely operated vehicles fitted with a stereo-video system (stereo-ROVs). The number of species, the abundance, biomass, feeding guild composition and the economic value of fishes were compared among habitats. The community composition of fish associated with pipelines was distinct from those associated with natural habitats, and was characterised by a greater abundance and/or biomass of fish from higher trophic levels (e.g. piscivores, generalist carnivores and invertivores), including many species considered to be of value to commercial and recreational fishers. Biomass of fish on pipelines was, on average, 20 times greater than soft sediments, and was similar to natural reefs. However, the biomass of species considered important to fisheries recorded on the pipelines was, on average 3.5 times greater than reef and 44.5 times greater than soft sediment habitats. This study demonstrates that fish assemblages on the pipeline infrastructure exhibit high ecological and socioeconomic values.
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Schramm KD, Marnane MJ, Elsdon TS, Jones C, Saunders BJ, Goetze JS, Driessen D, Fullwood LAF, Harvey ES. A comparison of stereo-BRUVs and stereo-ROV techniques for sampling shallow water fish communities on and off pipelines. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 162:105198. [PMID: 33130445 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We compared and contrasted fish assemblage data sampled by baited remote underwater stereo-video systems (stereo-BRUVs) and stereo-video remotely operated vehicles (stereo-ROVs) from subsea pipelines, reef and soft sediment habitats. Stereo-BRUVs sampled greater fish diversity across all three habitats, with the stereo-ROV sampling ~46% of the same species on pipeline and reef habitats. Larger differences existed in soft sediment habitats, with stereo-BRUVs recording ~65% more species than the stereo-ROV, the majority of which were generalist carnivores. These differences were likely due to the bait used with stereo-BRUVs attracting fish from a large and unknown area. Fish may have also avoided the moving stereo-ROV, an effect possibly magnified in open soft sediment habitats. As a result of these biases, we recommend stereo-ROVs for assessing fish communities on pipelines due to their ability to capture fish in-situ and within a defined sampling area, but caution is needed over soft sediment habitats for ecological comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl D Schramm
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, 6102, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael J Marnane
- Chevron Technical Center, 250 St Georges Tce, Perth, 6000, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Travis S Elsdon
- Chevron Technical Center, 250 St Georges Tce, Perth, 6000, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher Jones
- Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, 250 St Georges Tce, Perth, 6000, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Saunders
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, 6102, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jordan S Goetze
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, 6102, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Marine Science Program, 17 Dick Perry Ave., Kensington 6151, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Damon Driessen
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, 6102, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Laura A F Fullwood
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, 6102, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, 6102, Western Australia, Australia.
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